Multipurpose sectional top table



March 31, 1953 w. J. ZENNER MULTIPURPOSE SECTIONAL TOP TABLE 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed March 23, 1949 INVENTOR. WALTER J. ENNER 1. EMT/ m ATTY.

March 31, 1953 w. .1. ZENNER 2,633,395

MULTIPURPOSE SECTIONAL TOP TABLE Filed March 25, 1949 2 SI-IEETSSI-IEET 2 INVENTOR. i L 20 WALTER J. ZENNER BYSMVZXM Patented Mar. 31, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to game tables and more particularly to a multi-purpose sectional top table. Tables used for ping-pong or table-tennis are commonly built in two sections for convenience in handling and storage, with folding legs or with a demountable frame for supporting the top.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a table which is capable of functionin as a conventional game table but which is also capable of being used with its top panel inverted for an alternate purpose such as mounting tracks and accessories for a toy train.

Another object is to provide a supporting structure for a table top which permits reversal of the top without lifting.

A further object is to provide means for storing the table in a manner which makes efficient use of space and which affords protection to apparatus mounted to the under side of the table top.

The invention consists of the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

One embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters indicate like parts and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the table of my invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the reverse side of the table top illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view of the table arranged for storage;

Figures 4 and 5 are views of the details of the legs of the table of my invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the table top, preferably made of plywood, is divided into two sections I and 2, line 3 being the line of separation. Rails 4, 5, and 6 are secured to the under side of the top section I along the edges of the top. No rail is provided along edge 3. Rails 4 and 6 each have a hole substantially centrally located, through which pass pivot bolts 7 and 23.

Trestle I5 which supports top section I with its rails l, 5, and 6 comprises two pillar and leg assemblies joined by stretcher II. Pillar 8 has a hole near its upper end through which bolt I also passes. Spacer block 9 connects pillar 8 with auxiliary pillar I0, all three being permanently and securely joined. Pillars 8 and II) are secured at their lower ends to stretcher II. Le member I2 is secured to pillar 8 and carriesfeet I3 and I4 which contact the floor to support one end of trestle I5.

' to stretcher II.

Pillar II has a hole near its upper end through which pivot bolt 23 also passes. Spacer block I8 connects pillar II with auxiliary pillar I9, all three being permanently and securely joined. Pillars I! and I9 are secured at their lower ends Leg member 20 is secured to pillar I! and carries feet 2| and 22 which contact the floor to support the other end of trestle I5.

In the second half of the table, top panel 2 is reenforced with rails similar to those for top panel I, there being no rail along edge 3. Trestle I6 is similar to trestle I5 except the leg members I2 and 26 are secured to the outer faces of auxi1- iary pillars I6 and I9 respectively.

Shelves 28 and 29, fastened to side-bars 26 and 21 respectively, provide supports for the table-tennis net posts. The side bars 26 and 21 are secured to the side rails 4 and 6 by means of screws or bolts which enter into holes in the side rails 4 and 6. The side bars 26 and 21 thereby maintain the two top sections I and 2 rigidly in their associated relationship.

To reverse the top for an alternate use, sidebars 26 and 21 are removed (or partially removed) by removing the screws or bolts from the rails 4 and 6. The top panel I is rotated to a vertical position and held by inserting one of the bolts removed from the side bar into holes 36 and 3| which are now in alignment. Top panel 2 is similarly held in a vertical position. Both sections are next rotated through an angle of degrees about a vertical axis. The panels are next released, rotated to a horizontal position, and the side-bars 26 and 21 are replaced and bolted in position. The reversed top assembly is shown in Fig. 2.

To provide a compact assembly for storage, the side-bars 26 and 2'! are removed and the top panels are bolted in a vertical position as before described. The two table sections are brought together as shown in Fig. 3. Leg member I2 (Fig. 4) and foot It enter hole 32 in the opposite section (Fig. 5) and leg member 20 and foot 22 enter a hole similar to hole 32 at the opposite end of trestle I6. When in the final position, the top panel reenforcing rails for the two sections are in contact (Fig. 3).

From the foregoing it is seen that a table structure is provided which can be used for two principal purposes, the conversion requiring a minimum of physical efiort. The further conversion for storage similarly requires little physical eflort. It is possible therefore for a boy to make the conversion for either use, and to withdraw the table from storage and to return to storage.

What is claimed is:

1. A table with a rectangular top member divided into two equal sections along a line parallel to the shorter sides of said top member, each of the two said top sections being pivotally supported along an axis parallel to said top member dividing line and, approximately midway be; tween said top member dividing line and said top member shorter side; two trestle members, one for each of said two top sections, each of said two trestle members carrying pivotal supporting means for one of said two top sections; one of said trestle members being shorter than the other to permit said trestle members, to nest without interference when the top members are in a vertical position and substantially in contact, and means for joining said two top sections with the edges. Qi s id op secti ns, descr d y said dividing line substantially contact 2- A sectional table comp is ng two top panels. ach. panel, having a s reng henin rib-along three of its four sides, tr stle means for pivotally sup porting each of said top panels; in either a, normal tion, means for holding said two top panels together with the edge having no rib substantially in contact, and means on said trestle members for permitting said trestle members to nest one within the other when the trestle members are placed in alignment and substantially in contact and with the top panels in a vertical position and substantially in contact.

WALTER J. ZENNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date gems? Fay Mar. 30, 1875 553,184 Burns Jan. 14, 1896 922, 79 Nolan --a r M y 18, 1 1,15%692; Dehullu" Sept. 28, .1915 ,259,550 Wurz. 1,, 4 1.9 1,,8,4 3,83. Roberts 1932. 1,906,865 Knox, a 1. 33 2,204,107 Swett r r June 11, 1940 2,257,522 Bailey Sept. 30, 19.41,. 

